London: Two days after Prince William and wife Kate Middleton were blessed with a baby boy, the royal couple on Wednesday named Britain's future King George Alexander Louis. The baby, third in line to the British throne, will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, Kensington Palace said in a statement.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son George Alexander Louis,” the palace said in a statement.

George had been the bookies' favourite for the first name of the prince, who is destined to be king one day. James and Alexander, which is Prince' second name, were among other names on a short-list.

The third in line to the throne, after Prince Charles and Prince William, was born on Monday at the private Lindo wing at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington. The Queen was reportedly told of Prince George's name when she met him for the first time on Wednesday.

The Duke and Duchess with their newborn son are currently at the duchess's family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, after spending a night at Kensington Palace. Royal infants usually have historical names which are passed down through the generations.

There have already been six British monarchs called George – the last being the Queen's father, George VI. Louis is also a favourite and was the name of Lord Mountbatten, the uncle of the Duke of Edinburgh and India's last Viceroy.